First record of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infecting threatened populations of Tandilean Red-belly toad (Melanophryniscus aff. montevidensis) in Argentina

AGOSTINI, MARÍA GABRIELA; CORTELEZZI, AGUSTINA; BERKUNSKY, IGOR; SOLER, GABRIELA; BURROWES, PATRICIA

REVISTA MEXICANA DE BIODIVERSIDAD

INST BIOLOGIA

Año: 2015 vol. 86 p. 826 - 828

1870-3453

We present the first record of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infecting endangered populations of the Tandilean Red-belly toad (Melanophryniscus aff. montevidensis). We obtained skin swab samples of 32 individuals. The prevalence was 35.5% and the infection levels varied between 0.34 and 915 Bd-genomic equivalents. This finding represents a new threat that could be affecting, in conjunction with the high habitat fragmentation, the viability of the studied populations.